KIM-1

Developed by Mos Technology. later acquired by Commodore, to show the possibilities of the 6502 microprocessor but quickly discovered as the first mass-produced personal computer. Easy to extend, lots of detailed documentation. With assembler/editors, first Microsoft Basic on cassette and even a Pascal compiler it could do a lot. The first have an original Mos Technology logo, later versions have the Commodore logo on the board, without technical differences.

(photo from http://oldcomputers.net/ )

This prehistoric computer has no "real" keyboard and no video output, program are entered by the small hexadecimal keyboard (located in the lower right part of the picture) and results are displayed on the small LED "screen" (it can display only 6 digits). It has a simple monitor that allows one to examine & modify memory, load and save paper tape, load and save cassette tape, run and debug programs through a 'single step' mode. The monitor works with the built in keypad and LEDs, or a terminal like the Teletype ASR33. This 20 mA current loop is easy to adapt to RS232C and so any videoterminal can be used.

Software

See the Micro-KIM page for working software, like interpreters for Basic and Focal., assembler/editors etc.